There are 6 ways to get from Darwin to Cairns by plane, train, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns (CNS)DRW - CNS
6h 39m$360–800Train via Greenacre
- Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
- Take the train from Adelaide Station to Southern Cross Station
- Take the train from Southern Cross to Strathfield Station
- Take the train from Strathfield Station to Roma Street Station
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
4d 19hBus, train
- Take the bus from Darwin to Alice Springs
- Take the bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
5d 9h$2,937–6,810Drive 2,353.4 km
- Drive from Darwin to Cairns2,353.4 km
34h 37m$462–668Train
- Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
5d 13h$5,271–14,892Train, bus
- Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
5d 18h$5,405–8,711
Darwin to Cairns by bus, foot, and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Darwin to Cairns is to fly which costs $360 - $800 and takes 6h 39m.
The fastest way to get from Darwin to Cairns is to fly which takes 6h 39m and costs $360 - $800.
The distance between Darwin and Cairns is 1699 km. The road distance is 2353.4 km.
The best way to get from Darwin to Cairns without a car is to train via Greenacre which takes 4 days 19h and costs .
It takes approximately 6h 39m to get from Darwin to Cairns, including transfers.
The best way to get from Darwin to Cairns is to fly which takes 6h 39m and costs $360 - $800. Alternatively, you can train via Greenacre, which costs and takes 4 days 19h.
Cairns is 30 min ahead of Darwin. It is currently 4:20 AM in Darwin and 4:50 AM in Cairns.
Yes, the driving distance between Darwin to Cairns is 2353 km. It takes approximately 34h 37m to drive from Darwin to Cairns.
There are 989+ hotels available in Cairns.
What companies run services between Darwin, NT, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
Qantas and Airnorth fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns (CNS) twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Darwin to Cairns Central Station via Darwin, Adelaide Parklands, Adelaide Station, Southern Cross, Strathfield Station, Roma Street Station, and Roma Street in around 4d 19h.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $400–1,100
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $390–800
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $390–800
- Website
- flyairnorth.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $390–800
Train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 2h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,844
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Saver Gold Single Cabin
- $2,844
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $2,994
Train from Adelaide Station to Southern Cross Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Website
- https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/overland/
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Southern Cross to Strathfield Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 56m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $65–250
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Book at
- https://transportnsw.info/regional/regional-train-coach-facilities/xpt-regional-trains
- Economy
- $75–100
- First
- $100–140
- Sleeper
- $210–250
Train from Strathfield Station to Roma Street Station
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 53m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $65–250
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Book at
- https://transportnsw.info/regional/regional-train-coach-facilities/xpt-regional-trains
- Economy
- $80–110
- First
- $110–150
- Sleeper
- $220–250
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $85–6,171
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $85–390
- AChoice
- $85–390
- Gold Class
- $4,927
- Heritage Class
- $6,171
Train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 7h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,365–5,390
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Gold
- $2,365
- Gold Premium
- $3,390
- Platinum
- $5,390
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Darwin to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 5m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $200–490
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $200–290
- Advantage
- $250–370
- Flexible
- $320–490
Bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 19h 55m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $210–500
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $210–300
- Advantage
- $250–380
- Flexible
- $330–500
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $220–320
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Best ways to travel around Australia
Read the travel guide
10 amazing places to get away from it all in Australia
Read the travel guide
4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia
Read the travel guide























